Lot description:
ANNAM. "Five Bats" 5 Tien, ND (1848-83). Tu Duc. PCGS MS-62.
KM-457.1; Sch-359; Thierry-V263/V264 (gold); Thierry Supplement-Unlisted; T.Z.S.L.-pg. 292 # 100; Dav-133. Weight:18.20 gms. Variety with clouds surrounding the top two bats. Obverse: "Ngu Phuc", two bats in clouds above and three bats in clouds below; Reverse: "Tu Duc Thong Bao". An exceptional Mint State representative, this stunning auspicious 5 Tien delivers crisply applied details, with strong luster and touches of deep and alluring toning throughout. A piece that will doubtlessly capture the attention of many, as examples of this type are amongst the most consistently demanded issues from Annam.
The symbolism and inscription on this type represents a clever play on words where the word "Phuc" meaning happiness has a similar sound to the animal depicted, the bats. In Chinese culture the word for bat is "Fu" and is pronounced the same was as the word for good fortune.
Estimate: $10000 - $15000 | |